Vols and their Achilles BOOT OR: POOR OLE ROCKY TOP…

Years ago in this blog, I would make fun of UT coach Fulmer (Fat Phil), and his replacement Lame Kiffin. At the heart of my ridicule was a rivalry, between the Vols and the Gators. UT was strong under Fulmer and not only beat the Gators from time to time to claim the East, but even beat the Noles in the national championship game (without Weinke!). Over time, Tennessee started sliding, starting with Kiffin’s short stay and then Derrick Dooley. Butch Jones came in and has recruited very well, every year. With the East down for at least the last 5 years, UT could and should made their way to Atlanta – at least the last 2 seasons. Even with Josh Dobbs on point, they could not get to the SEC championship game. Instead, we had Mizzu twice, South Carolina and the Gators the last 2 years.

I’m more familiar with the UT program now, having lived in Tennessee for 5 years. I admire and respect their fans and even have a VOL in the family, as my Autumn is a junior in Knoxville. So, it was OK when UT beat the Gators last year in Neyland, to get the oh for Eleven monkey off their back. I don’t have the same disdain that I used to have for the reasons stated above – they are not as formidable a rival and I really love many of their fans. I’ve been following college football for nearly 50 years and I can’t think of another series where one team (UT) just finds ways to lost to the other (UF), year after year. The beauty of football is that one play can make one coach the hero and the other, “burned in effigy”. No way Tennessee should have let the Gators heave a game winning 63 yard bomb on the last play of the game, but they did. Now, the VOLS have to beat Georgia in 2 weeks, or Butch is likely gone. Their schedule is rough, with Bama coming up, and both Kentucky and Vandy playing much better this season. Throw in a wounded LSU and it is going to be tough for UT… Florida got lucky, again. They are not a good offensive team, not be SEC or even CUSA standards. Jim is hard to figure, came into Gainesville with offensive guru reputation, but has not shown it at all so far. Florida fans want electric offense! We also want as clean a program as we can get, but it feels like weak control at best. 9 players suspended and possible felony charges on the way…ugly. Georgia is on the rise and FSU is not looking to slip anytime soon. An uphill climb for UF.

A trip to Lexington Saturday night is up next. The Gators are 30 and zero against the Cats in the last 30 tries…but I don’t think they can get to 31. Kentucky is better coached, even if they are not quite as talented. Vandy beat KState and it was what we expected. A defensive slug fest and a close game. Dores are impressing me with their fight and discipline, but the TIDE comes rolling in on Saturday…yikes. Clemson throttled Louisville and even without DeShaun Watson, I have them as my #1 team, right there with Bama. Oklahoma, Penn State, Michigan, Ok State and USC are all in the mix for a playoff spot, as is Washington.

Texas played very well in LA against the Trojans, so the future really will be bright again in Austin in a year or 2. Miami and FSU was postponed, so we still don’t know enough about either team in term of Top 10 worthiness…stupid Irma! Noles get NC State this weekend and better bring their A game.

Colorado and Washington and USC and Cal highlight the west coast action. Cal could be trouble… Arkansas and A&M play to see which coach can rival Butch for the hottest seat in the SEC… Mississippi State embarrassed LSU with a beat down and now get to test themselves in Athens against Georgia. Should be a dandy! TCU and Oklahoma State will be the premier match up in the big12… Michigan will have its hand full with Purdue, at least for 2-3 quarters.